This document provides an overview of screencasting, including what it is, why its popularity has increased, common uses, available software programs, and best practices. Screencasting allows for video recording of one's computer screen and is useful for creating tutorials, lectures, demonstrations, and FAQs. It has become more widespread due to increased computing power, storage, and internet speeds, as well as accessible software. The basic process involves dry running and storyboarding tasks, scripting, recording both video and separate audio, editing the recordings together, and distributing the final screencast. Best practices include keeping recordings brief, focusing on one task at a time, speaking clearly, and making the screencast easy for others to view and

1. Screencasting Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science Class of 2011 Reference Assistant Westfield State College Ely Library Patrick Hartsfield

2. Screencasting: Overview What is it? Why now? What can I do with it? What does a screencast look like? What products are available? What is the process to make one? What are some best practices?

3. Screencasting: What is it? Basic definition: A video recording of your computer screen Term credited to Jon Udell “Heavy Metal Umlaut”

4. Screencasting: Why now? Increased computing power and storage Complementary hardware availability Microphones Webcams Accessible software tools Windows Movie Maker iMovie Flash

5. Screencasting: Why now? Faster Internet connections Easy-to-use distribution methods Course management systems YouTube Screencast.com

6. Screencasting: What are the uses? Tutorials Lectures Demos FAQ Problem reporting

7. Examples Heavy Metal Umlaut ( http://jonudell.net/udell/gems/umlaut/umlaut.html ) Developing a good Research question / thesis statement ( http://hdl.handle.net/1880/46628 ) Linking to Full-Text Articles ( http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/tutorials/linkfulltext/linkfulltext.htm )

8. Screencasting: Programs Windows CamStudio (open source) http://camstudio.org/ Jing/Jing Pro (also for Mac) http://www.jingproject.com/ Captivate http://www.adobe.com/products/captivate/ Camtasia Studio http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.asp

9. Screencasting: Programs Mac IShowU http://store.shinywhitebox.com/home/home.html Snapz Pro X http://www.ambrosiasw.com/utilities/snapzprox/ ScreenFlow http://www.telestream.net/screen-flow/overview.htm

10. Screencasting: The Process Seven basic steps Dry run Storyboard Script Record the video Record the audio Edit Distribute

11. Screencasting: The Process Dry Run Capture the task without audio, but… Talk through what you’re doing Storyboard Watch the dry run and break it into scenes Scenes should be short and focus on one task

12. Screencasting: The Process Script Write a script for each scene Read it aloud for timing Re-record the video No audio yet Do it all in one take or break it up by scene or group of scenes Multiple takes allows for later editing

13. Screencasting: The Process Record the audio Watch the video while recording Use either the screencasting software or another audio recording program Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) If using a separate program, import the results into the screencasting program

14. Screencasting: The Process Put it all together Find the best takes and combine them using the editor of your choice Camtasia iMovie Movie Maker Export the results Flash QuickTime mp4

15. Screencasting: The Process Distribute it Course management system Departmental web site Screencast.com YouTube

16. Screencasting: Best Practices Brevity Tutorials should be 2-3 minutes long Break longer presentation into more manageable chunks Be methodical Stay focused on the topic Avoid extraneous movements Speak clearly and at a comfortable pace

17. Screencasting: Best Practices Make it interesting “Call-outs” Pan & zoom Spotlights Add a quiz or survey Simplify the environment Limit the recording area Clean up the desktop

18. Screencasting: Best Practices Make it easy to use Add text to the presentation Increase the mouse cursor size

19. Thank You http://www.lolcats.com/view/28759